Since the EURIdoc project commenced on 1 September 2021, its implementation continues as planned. The management structures are in place with a Coordination Team, including representatives of the five partner institutions and the EURIdoc PhD fellows, carry responsibility for programme management decisions. Through the Partnership Agreement, the commitment of the partner institutions is secured. It reinforces their commitment to the Grant Agreement and regulates financial arrangements. It also regulates data protection and intellectual property issues relevant to the EURIdoc programme. EURIdoc has completed work packages 2 (evaluation and selection) and 3 (dissemination of the call) successfully, meeting all milestones on time. After recruiting 28 candidates for all EURIdoc PhD positions initially, withdrawals and transfers means that, currently, EURIdoc has 26 doctoral fellows. All recruits have been ensured a four-year period to complete their PhD. They have been employed under full-time contracts ensuring employment conditions and social security benefits equivalent to their counterparts in the employing institutions. The partner institutions, doctoral schools of the four universities, and the URI-Group (Upper Rhine Immunology Group) support the training and career development programme. They offer training in core and advanced scientific skills, transferable skills, project management and leadership as well as public awareness training. From this broad palette of training courses, EURIdoc fellows can select those relevant to their personal career development goals, while also meeting the university course requirements. Further, almost all research projects have submitted updated ethical descriptions and confirmed they hold the necessary ethical approvals.
